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Friday, June 01, 2007

Onto FANS

Tomorrow is the FANS 24 Hour Run, held in Minneapolis. I first ran FANS before I had run anything longer than a marathon. I thought it was the most crazy idea I had ever heard of. I couldn't imagine that people would actually run around a 2.4 mile path, around a lake, in the City, for a period of 24 hours. Were they nuts? Who were these people that would ever do such a thing..and why I would ask, why?

Well, I had a 50K, 50 mile dream in my little brain and Larry Pederson and Don Clark make a 30 mile training run around this lake seem like an OK thing to do. Well, at first I knew they were nuts, but you know, I began to hang out with these ultra folk, and well, the idea kind of rubbed off onto me. Before I knew it there was a 12 hour division for FANS and, hey, maybe I'd give it a try!

I couldn't believe the FUN I had. Could I run longer than 26 miles? Who knows? I'd try it. I tried it, and I ran for 10 hours. It was awesome. I decided to stop at 40 some miles and have a massage..and some Coke, because, well, I could. Nobody said I had to run the full 12 hours..I could run as long as I pleased.

I was hooked. The next few years I tried to run 100 miles at FANS. I ran 80 something for the next two years and then dropped at 50 something one year. Oops. That was a tough one. I had to think about that drop from the 24 hour to 12 hour for a whole year. Last year I got revenge (on myself?), and ran the 24, getting 116.8 miles. I was in shock. I suppose I still am. It was a perfect day; a perfect weather day, lots of friends, lots of energy, lots of sunshine, a whole lot of luck and a 50 mile DNF to get back at. Get back at it I did.

This year looks to be cooler (73) and cloudy, 40% chance of thundershowers. That is not a perfect running day for me. It kind of makes me feel depressed, lethargic, etc. Odd that weather can do such things to me. I'm out to prove to myself that 2006 wasn't a fluke. Out to prove to myself (no one else) that I can run 100 at FANS again. Out to prove to myself that it doesn't matter if it is cool and rainy, out to prove to myself that it doesn't have to be a perfect day with lots of good luck, out to prove to myself that maybe I could even beat 116 miles (gasp), now I've said it 'out loud'.

We'll see. All I can do is try..and have a whole lot of fun while doing it :)

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About Me

12 years ago in the haze of a hangover I read Oprah's Make The Connection. It changed my life. I lost the fat, I put down the booze, began eating in a healthy manner, began to walk, then run. Run On! I first began running marathons. Liked it so much I found some crazy ultra runners in MN who showed me the trail and ultramarathons. 39 marathons and 40+ ultra marathons later ( 15 100 mile ultramarathons in the past 5 years) I am sober, lean and happy. I am now inspiring others to run, as Oprah inspired me. Coaching beginning runners is a gift I like to give every day. It's not just about running..it's about all that comes with it: goal setting, empowerment, a belief in oneself, being true to oneself. 2007 brought 4 100 mile finishes, 2008 brought 4 100 mile finishes, a BQ and PR at TCM, a PR at the 100 mile trail distace at Javelina Jundred: 23:13. 2009 brought another PR at the 100 mile distance! Amazing. Lean Horse 100, a dream come true. What holds for 2010? WHO KNOWS?? NOT I! Wow. It's 2013 NOW!